KATHMANDU, April 25: Police in Birgunj have confiscated illegal radio frequency signal (mobile signal) boosters that were amplifying signals of Indian mobile service providers, thereby impacting the Quality of Service (QoS) of domestic mobile service providers and causing loss of revenue for both the companies and the government.
Based on information provided by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and with the assistance of Ncell, District Police Office, Parsa recently confiscated four mobile signal boosters from Adarshnagar area of Birgunj. The use of these boosters had caused frequency interference, degrading the voice service quality and reducing data speed of Nepali mobile service providers.
Acting on complaints that mobile signal boosters and amplifiers were being used in border areas to access services of foreign telecom providers, Police seized the devices. According to the District Police Office, Parsa these boosters were amplifying signals from Indian providers like Airtel and Jio to make them easily accessible.
US Embassy in Kathmandu leads an online campaign to amplify voi...
According to the prevailing Radio Act, 1957, and Telecommunications Act, 1997 the use of such equipment without permission of the government is illegal. Last month, NTA had also issued a public notice appealing not to use or allow the use of such radio frequency signal (mobile signal) boosters and amplifiers, citing illegal usage. NTA had received complaints that boosters and amplifiers were being used in some border areas of Bara and Parsa to enhance signal strength of Indian mobile service providers.
Nepali mobile service providers estimate that more than three dozen such boosters are still being used in border areas of Parsa. Operating such devices enables access to Indian telecom services within Nepal, which is illegal and poses threats to security while potentially supporting criminal activities.
Use of radio frequency signal boosters and amplifiers by any organization, institution, or individual without the authorization is a violation of Section 3 of the Radio Act and Section 21 of the Telecommunications Act. Nepali telecom companies install such boosters in places like hospitals and malls to enhance signals, where it is difficult to install mobile towers, and only with the approval of NTA.
NTA has also warned that use of mobile signal boosters and amplifiers without permission will lead to action under the Telecommunications Act and other applicable laws. According to Section 21, no one is allowed to operate telecommunication services without prior approval of NTA. Violation may lead to a fine of up to Rs. 500,000 and termination of the service.
Similarly, the Radio Act prohibits anyone from possessing, manufacturing, or using radio equipment without a license. If found guilty, the government or an authorized officer may confiscate such equipment and impose a fine equal to the value of the equipment used or damaged.
